Arsenal banished their Liverpool-shaped demons with an exhilarating win at the Emirates on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have had something of a hold over the Gunners in recent years but showed only glimpses of their class as Mikel Arteta’s men ultimately out-fought and out-manoeuvred them.
It was far from easy, however, with Arsenal twice having to regain the lead after being pegged back but their sheer force of will and persistence won through as goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka (x2) made the difference.
Victory moved the Gunners back into top spot in the Premier League table and kept their early-season momentum at full throttle, albeit with Manchester City and Tottenham still breathing down their necks.
Shaking Pep Guardiola’s side off may ultimately prove impossible but nobody can fault the commitment and desire Arteta’s side are showing in pursuit of bigger and better things this campaign.
And it was just such a show of commitment that moved Arsenal into the lead within barely a minute as they exploded into life from the outset against Liverpool. Klopp’s men, for years the epitome of full-throttle intensity, were stung by the pace and guile of their hosts.
Martin Odegaard’s threaded ball through to the marauding Martinelli was exquisite and the finish was entirely worthy of the pass to put the Gunners in front.
To their credit, Liverpool regrouped and gradually began to exert control over the midfield and the direction of the match. They were the ones playing high, winning duels, recovering possession and exploiting space. It’s not clear whether that was because of an unconscious retrenchment from the Arsenal players or simply the calibre of their opposition, but few could argue with the equaliser when it arrived.
As the half wound towards its conclusion, Liverpool continued to threaten but it was Arsenal who would steal into the lead. Deep into added time, a moment of magic from Martinelli opened up acres of space for Saka to steal in at the back post and poke home from close range. An unlikely lead at the break but a priceless one.
Despite getting their noses in front, half-time was still much-needed for an uncharacteristically listless Arsenal side. They had been timid in possession and second-best in the battles for large parts of the first half and there was clearly much to be done at the break.
The chance to reset and refresh was welcome and the Gunners emerged for the second half vastly improved. Although they were again pegged back, this time an excellent finish from Firmino, there was no sense of panic or frustration.
In fact, the setback proved something of a catalyst for the hosts to seize control of the match, with Liverpool more or less retreating, opting to hold on to what they had. This approach was typified by the early departure of the talismanic Mohamed Salah, albeit after a largely ineffectual 70 minutes for the Egyptian.
Arsenal, meanwhile, continued to throw the kitchen sink at their opponents and, ultimately, their greater intent and endeavour was rewarded. The decision given against Thiago was soft but no so soft as to warrant VAR intervention. I wouldn’t be thrilled to see if given against us but there was contact and Gabriel Jesus made the most of it, as indeed Salah would have done.
On the strength of our play alone, you couldn’t begrudge us a third goal and it was great to see Saka once again step up to the spot in a high-pressure moment. His courage was and is remarkable.
Liverpool sought to rally for the last quarter of the match but all impetus had long since been lost in their substitutions. They struggled for invention and for the never-say-die determination that was such a hallmark of their best seasons.
When the final whistle blew, there could be no doubt Arsenal were full value for their win, and an impressive win it was at that.
While this may not be the Liverpool side of 2019, it is still a side filled with title winners and enormously experienced campaigners. For all their recent travails, they are not so lightly dismissed. That Arsenal were able to wrest control from them, and to respond whenever they were pulled back, speaks I think to the changing trajectories of these two sides. We may not be ready to ascend the sort of heights Liverpool have hit in recent times, but we’ve shown ourselves a force to be reckoned with and worthy of inclusion in the biggest conversations.
Title conversations? Perhaps not but if we can continue on our current trajectory, who knows what we’ll be talking about as possible in six months.
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